Delaware to Connecticut route

[davel1971]

planning a trip some time this spring to travel from our home in Delaware to Connecticut. Anyone have any routes to take or to avoid traveling through the dreaded north Jersey, New York city, southern Ct area. I hate traveling that direction and have never towed that route.

[Todouble]

NE extension up to the poconos area then head east on 84. Brings you they New York and into Connecticut. Avoid north jersey and NYC at all cost

[davel1971]

kind of what I was thinking. That is a HORRIBLE area to drive at all

[Flagstaffer06]

Exactly what Todouble said, take 95 to the NE Extension and then get off the Pocono's exit to 80 East, you can get off 80 East on RT 209 and 209 runs right up to Milford, PA or right around there where you can pick up 84 and right into CT.

There are times when you can travel through NJ and NY when the traffic is lighter but, even lighter traffic is heavy traffic and no fun to tow in unless you have to.

I live outside of Allentown, PA just south of the Pocono's myself and can't think of many other alternatives than 84.

[Todouble]

Yeah even 84 when you get into conn can get a little congested. But nothing like nyc

[davel1971]

how about 95 to 287 to 87 to 84? Taking the 80 to 209 route goes pretty far to the west.

[Todouble]

Originally Posted by davel1971

how about 95 to 287 to 87 to 84? Taking the 80 to 209 route goes pretty far to the west.

I towed that way about 6 years ago on my way to lake George, ny. It's doable but requires some white nuckle on 287. Another way you can try is 95 to the ne ext to Allentown. Jump on 78 east and run that into 287 then pick up 87 north and grab 84 that way. I have done that too.

[davel1971]

that still goes pretty westward and only cuts out a bit of 287. I can deal with a bit of traffic, but definitely avoiding NY city area. I want to stay away from the very worst, but not go hundreds of miles further to avoid it. Diesel isn't getting any cheaper. You guys are being a huge help. Still open to ideas. My sig shows what my rig setup is

[Todouble]

It's def not hundreds of miles out of the way. Maybe 20-30 miles at best. It all depends on north jersey traffic. You may get hung up for hours in traffic and that 20 extra miles will keep you moving and be faster overall. I just know towing a large fiver in heavy traffic and trying to maneuver around ain't fun. And them jersey/NYC drivers are brutal on the roads

[davel1971]

oh, if that's all it is, not so bad. I'm not familiar with that area so taking these considerations seriously. So you are saying 95 to 476 to Allentown then 78 east to 287 to 84?

[Todouble]

Originally Posted by davel1971

oh, if that's all it is, not so bad. I'm not familiar with that area so taking these considerations seriously. So you are saying 95 to 476 to Allentown then 78 east to 287 to 84?

When you get on 287 you have to pickup 87 north for a short distance. That will bring you up to 84 so you can go east into conn. 87 & 84 junction is where Orange County choppers is. If your into motorcycles. We have stopped for a break there and grabbed lunch.

[davel1971]

sounds like that's my route. Thanks for your help.

[rookiecamper]

I-78 to I-287 route is the way to go but plan around rush hour traffic.. That area gets stacked with traffic heading to NYC till mid morning so plan accordingly!

[davel1971]

looks like everyone recommending same route. That must be the "least" horrible one to take that direction. Appreciate all the input.

[dblr]

When do you plan to head that way, day of the week and time of day? We live in Newark De. and when we head that way we leave early on a Sunday morning( which helps) and take 95 north thru Pa into NJ then take Rt 31 to Rt 202 north to Rt 287, stop at a good diner for breakfast just before you get onto Rt 287, then 287 to 87 as others have already posted. There are no tolls till you get onto Rt 87.

[Jjsav]

Originally Posted by davel1971

how about 95 to 287 to 87 to 84?

I travel this route at least 6 times a year. This is the way I go. Hands down the best. If you have E-Z pass, bring it, works the whole way for the tolls. Just FYI. 287 and I84, the gas stops are off exits, not large stops like the ones on the Jersey Turnpike(fill up in NJ to save some money). So this may be an issue depending on your rig size.

Where in CT are you going? If you need any overnight stays in NY let me know I have some I could recommend, That is my neck of the woods.

[davel1971]

When I do make the trip, will be this spring, and will most likely be going up on a Thursday or Friday and return on Sunday. Depending on what weekend, maybe I can add a few days. I will either be staying just west of Mystic and meet the rest of my family there at a campground, or camp closer to where they live north of Hartford.